1997 Saturn SL Problems, complaints & recalls

While driving (vehicle in motion) the vehicle shuts down completely. At times when the key is turned in the ignition switch nothing happens; no electrical power but battery is fine and everything else checks out ok except the ignition switch. It has all the characteristics of gm vehicles that experienced fatalities with faulty ignition switches. This has occurred on several occasions the last instance was on may 10, 2016.

Severe rust out of the suspension sub-frame (engine cradle) along the left side, particularly at the lower control arm mount pocket. This condition was caught before the left front lower control arm broke loose due to the rusted sub-frame. Rust condition was confined to the left side of the sub-frame with no apparent issue with the right side or cross beams. Brought to saturn's attention but concern was denied as the "vehicle is out of warranty". Saturn never addressed the issue that the sub-frame is a component that should last the lifetime of the vehicle. *Tr

On july 23, 2014 approximately 6:35p.M. I was on my way to church along with three other passengers. My sister was in the passenger seat and my grandson and the lady that live with me was in the back seat. Without warning there was a boom or explosion that cause me to briefly lose control of the car before coming to a stop. The car was filled with smoke and fume from the deployed airbags. My arms were chemically burned and knuckles on left hand from holding steering wheel. The passenger in front was complaining...

During oil change discovered that front subframe was rusted through at control arm attachment point, drivers side. Car was removed from service as this is a major safety issue affecting suspension and steering. Tried to find a used subframe but all in local auto parts recyclers were just as badly rusted. *Tr

During oil change discovered that front subframe was rusted through at control arm attachment point, drivers side. Car was removed from service as this is a major safety issue affecting suspension and steering. Tried to find a used subframe but all in local auto parts recyclers were just as badly rusted. *Tr

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 saturn sl. The contact stated that the key fell out of the ignition and the vehicle continued to run. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and vin was not available.

With the cruise control in the off position, the cruise control engaged and went to full throttle. When the clutch pedal was depressed the cruise control dis-engaged. This happened five times, the cruise control unit has since been disabled. *Tr

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 saturn sl. The contact stated that he was reversing from a residential driveway when he shifted to first gear and the shifter cable became detached from the shifter lever. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer stated they had to replace two shifter cables. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure and current mileage was 127,000. Updated 7/26/12 *cn the consumer stated the root of the problem was the failure of a small plastic bushing used to...

When driving the car the steering seemed loose. My mechanic found that the sub frame (engine cradle) was cracked. The sub frame, rack and pinion, front struts, and outer tie rod was replaced. The car now drives well. My mechanic said it was dangerous to drive with a cracked sub frame. *Tt

"Engine runs hot & engine oil mixed with coolant reservoir (replace cylinder head assembly)" that's what it states on service bulletin 96-t-65b. From what I've read this happens a lot on 91-97 saturns. Our saturn started off by having chocolate milkshake colored foamy-ness in the coolant reservoir (it's had that since we got it 2 years ago so not sure how long it's had this), then it over heated, then the low coolant & coolant temp lights started flashing, then the 2nd spark plug blew out 3 times now (in the last 3 months)! If saturn knows about this why have they not recalled it??? We have got the spark plug repaired now 3 times & not sure where to go from here. *Tr

1997 Saturn sl, 4 door sedan, manual transaxle, 143000 miles at a parking lot: shifter cable plastic bushing broke locking my transaxle in reverse. Problem fixed with an aftermarket kit sold by napa auto stores. *Tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 saturn sl1. The contact stated that when attempting to shift from 2nd to 3rd gear the shift lever cable fractured; thus disabling the vehicle from shifting into 3rd gear. Gear failure while driving increases the risk for vehicle crash. The vehicle was taken to a dealership in which the shift cable assembly was replaced. The current and failure mileages were 102000.

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 saturn sl2. The contact stated that the subframe rotted out along the driver's side of the vehicle, mainly at the lower control arm pocket. The dealer replaced the subframe at the cost of $1,179. The manufacturer would not provide reimbursement because the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 48,736.

Driving along community road and manual shift linkage became inoperative. Failure was total, shifting was impossible, was lucky to be able to get to the side of the road. Saturn used a plastic push-in button to retain the shift mechanism to the eyelet of the shift cable........A plastic bushing for a part of the car that is critical! A replacement was bushing fabricated out of suitable material and a tapped hole, and bolt, was added to the shifter rod so that complete failure is not possible. Too bad detroit engineers seem to have forgotten their responsibilities to society, they should be ashamed to put peoples lives in such danger with such a poor design of a critical part. *Tr

On 13sep2008, at approximately 1400hrs I was operating my 1997 saturn sl2 (manual) at low speed in my driveway; when the vehicle failed to engage in gear. Upon further investigation, I discovered that my shifting cable linkage had become disengaged (specifically the shifting rod and the plastic ball-joint cover). After attempting to locate the part via local auto part merchants I contacted a local saturn dealership. I spoke to a member of the service department who informed me that the disengagement of the...

I recently purchased a 1997 sl1 and on the 3rd day of owning it the shifter broke causing it to go limp. At the time I was on the 101 freeway stuck in traffic with my three children. I called my mechanic and he towed it to his shop for repairs. After making the necessary repair, he did a routine maintenance check. This was when he discovered the oil had water mixed in with it causing a white smoke escaping from the exhaust pipe. I'm certain this problem was recognized by the previous owner and most likely was the reason for selling. After reading the following complaints from car survey, I believe saturn engineered this vehicle "by design" with these problems as a forecast for revenue. *Tr

I recently purchased a 1997 sl1 and on the 3rd day of owning it the shifter broke causing it to go limp. At the time I was on the 101 freeway stuck in traffic with my three children. I called my mechanic and he towed it to his shop for repairs. After making the necessary repair, he did a routine maintenance check. This was when he discovered the oil had water mixed in with it causing a white smoke escaping from the exhaust pipe. I'm certain this problem was recognized by the previous owner and most likely was the...

I was parked at a shopping center, when I turned my car on, it would not start. After trying a couple of times,it made a pop sound and smoke flooded inside the car. I turned off the key, took it to a dealer and they could not find anything wrong with it. The windows would not work as well. I replaced the fuse for the windows, and the car started, but now only the drivers side window works. *Tr

Started my car, it ran a few seconds, then died. Before I could restart it, smoke started pouring out of the steering column and I smelled an electrical fire. I didn't start it again but found help to disconnect my battery. It's on it's way to the nearby saturn dealer who refuses to provide me with a loan car. I think this is a very unusual problem, and I've driven a lot of clunkers in the past without having to deal with anything like this. *Jb

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 saturn sl2. While driving 35 mph, the contact noticed smoke rising from the hood. He then pulled over as the smoke turned into flames. After he extinguished the fire, he restarted the vehicle and oil sprayed out from the cylinder head. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 131,000. Updated 01-11-08. *Kb updated 12/12/07 *tr

I purchased a used 1997 saturn sl in 2005. When I negotiated to purchase the vehicle the horn was not working. The used car dealer replaced a fuse. The horn then worked intermittently if the horn button was pushed just so. Within a week it failed to work at all. I contacted saturn (via the internet) and got no help, other than to take the dealer for repair. This car was totaled out in an accident. I liked it so much (other than the horn issue) that I bought another one - a 1996 sl. The horn on the 96 also...

There is a problem with the wiring the car is a 1997 saturn and I have problems with the heater blower motor working sometimes and then not you have to play with the wiring to get it to work and the same for the blinkers the blower works now and the blinkers don't? *Nm

The front side passenger seat/shoulder belt system would not retract or release on my 1997 saturn 4-door sedan. I was told by the dealer that the retractor had "frozen" & I needed a whole new seat belt replacement. Although there has been a recall of the '97 saturn seat belts for retractor doing the same thing in the 2 dr coupe model; I was told my model was not covered in the recall. The car has never been in a major accident and rarely does the passenger front seat have an occupant. The seat belt will be replaced as we need it to ensure safety of passengers as well as comply with the il state law. *Jb

I have a 1997 saturn sl2. The "button" on my parking brake handle popped off the other day (03/27/2006), releasing my parking brake. Luckily I was not on a steep hill and the transmission was in gear, otherwise the car would have rolled away. Its hard to believe that such a tiny piece of "plastic" is all that holds the parking brake in place. Once the button is broken, there is no way to engage the parking brake. I really think this warrants a recall. *Jb

Driver went over a speed bump while turning into a parking space and hit the parking curb just slightly while braking. Both driver & passenger side air bags deployed. *Nm